Private sector housing officer volunteer roles
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Chair
Harrogate Homeless Project
Board meetings take place at Springboard day centre, Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1PP.
Harrogate Homeless Project is the leading charity in the Harrogate district supporting individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or recovering from homelessness. Our mission is to use our expertise to address the root causes of a person’s homelessness and support them to long-term independent living. We aim to influence local, regional and national policy to help deliver better outcomes for our clients.
We have bold ambitions to make a step change in the support given to our clients. We benefit from strong and positive public awareness of our work. That work is supported by a staff team of around 18 people, nearly 50 volunteers and strong links with partners including North Yorkshire Council, other charities and local businesses.
The next period promises to be exciting for Harrogate Homeless Project as we develop our direct services to clients, extend the support offered in our premises by partners, put our influencing of public policy on a firmer footing and to significantly invest in, and expand, our fundraising.
The role.
Our current Chair is leaving in a planned way to take up a non-executive role in another organisation. We are seeking an exceptional successor to lead our Board and work with our executive team to progress our ambitious plans.
We are looking for someone with proven leadership qualities; you will also be well-connected with any of our key partner groups in North Yorkshire – charities, businesses and the public sector. The highest levels of personal credibility are essential for this role and sound judgment in dealings with staff, clients and partners is essential. Our longer-term impact and sustainability rely on rigorous governance and statutory compliance. You will ensure that our oversight, scrutiny and legal compliance arrangements are as strong as possible.
This is a great time to join us, as we work collaboratively with a diverse range of partners to bring hope and empowerment to our clients. If you want to be part of this, we look forward to hearing from you.
The appointment is on a voluntary basis with reasonable expenses reimbursed.
Information
Download the candidate brief from the vacancies section of our website to find out more about the role.
How to apply
To make an application, please visit the recruitment page of our website, read the candidate pack and submit:
- Your CV
- A covering letter (no more than two sides) that sets out how you match the criteria and describes the specific experience you can bring to the appointment to support Harrogate Homeless Project’s aims.
Recruitment timeline
Closing date: Friday 31 July 2026
Shortlisting: August 2026
Interviews: 14 September 2026 (provisional)
Registered Charity 
11 - 20
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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The Faith Hope & Enterprise Company Ltd (FHE) is an innovative registered charity operating across Derby City, Amber Valley, and the Derbyshire Dales. Our mission is to provide high-quality supported housing and bespoke mentorship to individuals facing severe social exclusion. We walk alongside those recovering from addiction, navigating mental health challenges, adjusting to life after offending, or rebuilding after general homelessness.
Operating from our base in Mackworth, Derby, we run a network of shared houses and self-contained flats which we either own or lease from private landlords. We deliver highly tailored Personal Development Plans to give our residents the practical life skills, confidence, and community networks they need to transition successfully into fully independent living.
At FHE, our name speaks to our core values rather than any religious affiliation. 'Faith' represents our unwavering belief in what people can achieve, 'Hope' drives our mission to create positive change, and 'Enterprise' defines the business-driven social model we use to make it happen.
The Role
FHE is entering an exciting period of strategic development. We are looking to appoint new Trustees to join our friendly, dedicated Board.
As a Trustee, you will ensure that the charity remains financially resilient, legally compliant, and true to its core values of trust, respect, and kindness. Working closely with our Chief Executive and the executive team, you will help shape our future housing strategy, strengthen our local partnerships, and maximize the social impact of our enterprise model.
Who We Are Looking For
We welcome applications from individuals who share our passion for tackling social exclusion and homelessness. To complement the existing skills on our Board, we are particularly keen to hear from candidates with a background or professional qualification in any of the following fields:
- Social Housing & Property Management: Experience in residential lettings, property maintenance, or estate management to advise on our housing stock.
- Finance & Accounting: Fully or part-qualified accountants who can provide oversight of budgets, cash flow, and financial forecasting.
- Legal, Risk & Compliance: Expertise in charity law, employment law, health & safety, or housing regulations.
- Health & Social Care/Addiction Recovery: Insights from the statutory or voluntary sectors to help guide our holistic support frameworks.
Prior experience as a trustee is not essential. We are fully committed to diversifying our board and warmly welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of the challenges our residents face. Comprehensive induction and peer mentoring will be provided.
Time Commitment
Meetings: 4 to 6 formal evening Board meetings per year, held in Derby.
- Work: One annual strategy full-day review, plus occasional involvement based on your professional background.
- Ad-hoc Support: Occasional advisory support to the executive team via email or phone.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a brief covering letter (maximum two pages) explaining your relevant experience and motivation for joining FHE and what you feel you can bring to the Board.
For an informal, confidential discussion about the role with our Chair of Trustees, please contact our Mackworth office.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.